U.A.E.: Conserve water, achieve sustainable development: Abu Dhabi Declaration.

Striking a balance between agricultural development rates and conservation of water resources is one of the main factors of sustainable development, according to Abu Dhabi Declaration for Agricultural Development and Desertification Control. The declaration, issued by Arab agriculture ministers at the end of a two-day meeting of the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development (AOAD), warned that current consumption of water would deplete these precious resources. The declaration appreciated Arab and regional efforts to materialise sustainable agricultural development for securing a decent life for Arab peoples and voiced concern at the state of instability and insecurity in some Arab countries, mainly Palestine, which affects prospects for sustainable development and combating desertification. The ministers called for swift implementation of the international conventions on combating desertification, biodiversity and climatic change.

The ministers announced that a host of measures are ...